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Marine Life | Japan

607 images Created 24 Jan 2014

Photographs of marine life from the waters around Japan

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  • This is a 40cm male elkhorn sculpin (Alcichthys elongatus) protecting his yellow eggs, which are adhered to the surface of the large rock above him. Clutches of eggs are in various stages of development. This species reproduces via internal gametic association, meaning copulation takes place, but fertilization only occurs when females spawn the eggs and contact with seawater happens. The Japanese name is Niji-kajika. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    alcichthys-elongatus-elkhorn-sculpin...tif
  • This is a male elkhorn sculpin (Alcichthys elongatus) watching over a carpet of bright yellow eggs. This fish and his eggs were in a pocket hidden among rocks, accessible only via a narrow crevice of about 10cm in height. This species reproduces via internal gametic association, meaning copulation takes place, but fertilization only occurs when females spawn the eggs and contact with seawater happens. The Japanese name is Niji-kajika. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    alcichthys-elongatus-elkhorn-sculpin...tif
  • This is a male elkhorn sculpin (Alcichthys elongatus) watching over a carpet of bright yellow eggs. This is a difficult scene to document, as males of this species select tight crevices for their reproductive dens, sites characterized by cramped, restricted access. This species reproduces via internal gametic association, meaning copulation takes place, but fertilization only occurs when females spawn the eggs and contact with seawater happens. The Japanese name is Niji-kajika. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    alcichthys-elongatus-elkhorn-sculpin...tif
  • This is a 4cm male Eumicrotremus taranetzi lumpsucker watching over a clutch of eggs. The fish and eggs are inside of an empty barnacle shell. Some of the developing eggs are visible. More are beyond view inside the barnacle. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    eumicrotremus-taranetzi-lumpsucker-g...tif
  • This is a close-up view taken at four times life-size magnification of developing elongated sculpin (Alcichthys elongatus) eggs. The eye of a well-developed embryo is visible, as is an eye that is just beginning to take form in another egg. The egg that is entirely white is unviable, perhaps because it was not properly fertilised. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    alcichthys-elongatus-elkhorn-sculpin...tif
  • This is a calico frogfish (Fowlerichthys scriptissimus) with a zebra-striped pattern. This body pattern is relatively rare compared to the more common mottled pattern. This species usually lives in waters 70m and deeper. The fish appears in shallower sometimes during winter months, perhaps for reproductive purposes. Photographed in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
    fowlerichthys-scriptissimus-calico-f...tif
  • This is a Nihon grunt sculpin (Rhamphocottus nagaakii), a fish that is native to the northwest Pacific. The Japanese name is kuchi-bashi-kajika. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
    rhamphocottus-nagaakii-nihon-grunt-s...tif
  • This is a Eumicrotremus awae lumpsucker, known as dango-uo in Japanese. About 1cm in size, this fish uses modified pectoral fins to adhere to surfaces. Here, the fish is leaning to its right because it is being pushed by ocean swell, with the suction-cup function of its modified pectoral fins clearly visible. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
    eumicrotremus-awae-lumpsucker-japan-...tif
  • This is a juvenile fringed blenny (Chirolophis japonicus). It is about one year old, just beginning to take on the frills and colors that are characteristic of this prickleback species. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
    chirolophis-japonicus-juvenile-fring...tif
  • This is a male Pagurus constans hermit crab, which is typically associated with Hydrissa sodalis hydroids as shown here. The hydroids create the crustacean's characteristic spiky appearance. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
    pagurus-constans-hermit-crab-japan-2...tif
  • This is a male Pagurus constans hermit crab grasping a smaller female, behavior that is typical of hermit crabs during reproductive season. This species of hermit crab is associated with Hydrissa sodalis hydroids, which cover the shells inhabited by the crustaceans and give the crustaceans their characteristic spiky appearance. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
    pagurus-constans-hermit-crab-reprodu...tif
  • This is a long shanny (Stichaeus grigorjewi) male guarding two clutches of eggs. This species lives in deep water, down to 300m, in the Northwest Pacific. They come up to shallow water for reproduction. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
    stichaeus-grigorjewi-protecting-eggs...tif
  • This is a Nihon grunt sculpin (Rhamphocottus nagaakii), a fish that is native to the northwest Pacific. The Japanese name is kuchi-bashi-kajika. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
    rhamphocottus-nagaakii-nihon-grunt-s...tif
  • This is a Nihon grunt sculpin (Rhamphocottus nagaakii), a fish that is native to the northwest Pacific. The Japanese name is kuchibashi-kajika. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
    rhamphocottus-nagaakii-nihon-grunt-s...tif
  • This is a hairchin goby (Sagamia geneionema) male standing guard in front of a clutch of developing eggs. Females deposit eggs in narrow crevices and under rocks, leaving males to care for the eggs until they hatch. Mature fish of this species die after spawning, meaning one generation per year. Native to coastal waters of Japan and Korea. Photographed in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
    sagamia-geneionema-goby-protecting-e...tif
  • This is a large Cerianthus filiformis tube anemone. This species is most often seen with purple coloration. The common name in Japanese is murasaki-hanaginchaku, with the word murasaki meaning purple. This individual was white with yellow tentacle tips. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    cerianthus-filiformis-tube-anemone-j...tif
  • This is a juvenile painted frogfish (Antennarius pictus), Over the course of two weeks, this juvenile grew from around around 8mm in length to about 15mm. Photographed at a magnification of 2x life-size. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    antennarius-pictus-painted-frogfish-...tif
  • This is a juvenile painted frogfish (Antennarius pictus), Over the course of two weeks, this juvenile grew from around around 8mm in length to about 15mm. Photographed at a magnification of 2x life-size. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    antennarius-pictus-painted-frogfish-...tif
  • This is a deepwater calico frogfish (Fowlerichthys scriptissimus), normally found in waters below 70m. This individual was at 25m, perhaps coming up to shallow water for reproductive purposes. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    fowlerichthys-scriptissimus-calico-f...tif
  • This is a sea elephant (Pterotrachea coronata), a predatory pelagic mollusk. This individual was encountered in a shallow bay. It was alive and swimming, but in poor condition. These animals use their extended proboscis to grab prey. Their vital organs are contained in the visceral nucleus at the rear of the body. One of the animal's eye is clearly visible. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    pterotrachea-coronata-sea-elephant-j...tif
  • This is the egg mass of a giant cuskeel (Spectrunculus grandis). This is a bathydemersal species, living on the ocean floor at depths of 1000m to 6000m. This egg mass was found floating at the ocean surface. See also close-up photograph for view of individual eggs. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    spectrunculus-grandis-giant-cuskeel-...tif
  • This is a close-up view of the egg mass of a giant cuskeel (Spectrunculus grandis). Each egg is less than 2mm in size. Pigmentation is black. This is a bathydemersal species, living on the ocean floor at depths of 1000m to 6000m. These eggs were found floating at the ocean surface. See also photograph of entire egg mass. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    spectrunculus-grandis-giant-cuskeel-...tif
  • This is a Pterosoma planum a species of predatory snail that lives in the open oceans of the Indo-Pacific region. The pink proboscis is the animal's mouth, with two eyes also visible. The gastropod's shell seen below the animal in this image. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    pterosoma-planum-pelagic-snail-japan...tif
  • This is a head-on view of Pterosoma planum, a species of predatory snail that lives in the open oceans of the Indo-Pacific region. The animal's gills are to the rear and raised above the animal in this image, with its eyes and feeding proboscis oriented forward and to the bottom. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    pterosoma-planum-pelagic-snail-japan...tif
  • This is a Hippopodius hippopus siphonophore. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    hippopodius-hippopus-siphonophore-ja...tif
  • This is a Hippopodius hippopus siphonophore. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    hippopodius-hippopus-siphonophore-ja...tif
  • This is a hula skirt siphonophore (Physophora hydrostatica). Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    physophora-hydrostatica-hula-skirt-s...tif
  • This is a Dasycaris sp. shrimp that was associated with a small coral growth. Photographed at a magnification of two times life-size. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    dasycaris-shrimp-japan-202302-0610.tif
  • This is a deepwater calico frogfish (Fowlerichthys scriptissimus), normally found in waters below 70m. This individual was at 25m, perhaps coming up to shallow water for reproductive purposes. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    fowlerichthys-scriptissimus-calico-f...tif
  • This is a deepwater calico frogfish (Fowlerichthys scriptissimus), normally found in waters below 70m. This individual was at 25m, perhaps coming up to shallow water for reproductive purposes. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    fowlerichthys-scriptissimus-calico-f...tif
  • This is a juvenile spotfin frogfish (Abantennarius nummifer), measuring around 1.5cm in length. Photographed at magnification of two times life-size. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    abantennarius-nummifer-spotfin-frogf...tif
  • This is a small shrimp (Tozeuma sp.). This shrimp and two others were well camouflaged on a small clump of coral and other entangled organisms. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    tozeuma-shrimp-japan-202302-0206.tif
  • This is a juvenile painted frogfish (Antennarius pictus), measuring around 8mm. Photographed at a magnification of 4x life-size. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    antennarius-pictus-painted-frogfish-...tif
  • This is a juvenile Takifugu niphobles grass puffer patrolling extremely shallow water at night.
    takifugu-niphobles-grass-puffer-juve...tif
  • This is a head-on view of juvenile Takifugu niphobles grass puffer, about 4cm in length.
    takifugu-niphobles-grass-puffer-juve...tif
  • This is a juvenile Takifugu niphobles grass puffer patrolling extremely shallow water at night.
    takifugu-niphobles-grass-puffer-juve...tif
  • This is a juvenile Takifugu niphobles grass puffer. It has buried itself partially in the substrate to conceal itself and rest. This is normal behavior among juveniles of this species.
    takifugu-niphobles-grass-puffer-juve...tif
  • This is a polyp of Alveopora japonica, a small zooxanthellate scleractinian coral that produces large polyps. The orange spheres are planulae, or larval corals. Individual planula migrate from the coral stalk to the mouth, where the planula emerges and swims into the water. The species is found in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Recent research suggests that genetic differences among the three populations are large enough to warrant consideration as separate species.
    alveopora-japonica-coral-planula-jap...tif
  • This is a polyp of Alveopora japonica, a small zooxanthellate scleractinian coral that produces large polyps. The orange spheres are planulae, or larval corals. Individual planula migrate from the coral stalk to the mouth, where the planula emerges and swims into the water. The species is found in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Recent research suggests that genetic differences among the three populations are large enough to warrant consideration as separate species.
    alveopora-japonica-coral-planula-jap...tif
  • This is a polyp of Alveopora japonica, a small zooxanthellate scleractinian coral that produces large polyps. The orange spheres are planulae, or larval corals. Individual planula migrate from the coral stalk to the mouth, where the planula emerges and swims into the water. The species is found in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Recent research suggests that genetic differences among the three populations are large enough to warrant consideration as separate species.
    alveopora-japonica-coral-planula-jap...tif
  • This is close-up view of polyps of Alveopora japonica, a small zooxanthellate scleractinian coral that produces large polyps. This species is found in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Recent research suggests that genetic differences among the three populations are large enough to warrant consideration as separate species.
    alveopora-japonica-coral-polyps-japa...tif
  • This is a pair of mud crabs (Scylla sp.) preparing to mate in the late summer. The male is on top, with the female upside-down beneath.
    scylla-mud-crabs-mating-japan-202208...tif
  • This is a pair of mud crabs (Scylla sp.) preparing to mate in the late summer. The male is on top, with the female upside-down beneath.
    scylla-mud-crabs-mating-japan-202208...tif
  • This is a female mud crab (Scylla sp.) carrying eggs during the late summer.
    scylla-mud-crab-eggs-japan-202208-00...tif
  • This is a newly hatched Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus). It had just crawled out of the substrate and swum into the murky, nutrient-rich water column, which was filled with a frenzy of copepods.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • Pictured here are eggs of sergeant major damselfish (Abudefduf sexfasciatus). The juveniles are well-developed, with eyes clearly visible. Photographed at 4x life-size magnification.
    abudefduf-sexfasciatus-sergeant-majo...tif
  • Pictured here are eggs of sergeant major damselfish (Abudefduf sexfasciatus). The juveniles are well-developed, with eyes clearly visible. Photographed at 4x life-size magnification.
    abudefduf-sexfasciatus-sergeant-majo...tif
  • Pictured here are freshly deposited eggs of sergeant major damselfish (Abudefduf sexfasciatus). Photographed at 4x life-size magnification.
    abudefduf-sexfasciatus-sergeant-majo...tif
  • Pictured here are eggs of sergeant major damselfish (Abudefduf sexfasciatus). Development of the juveniles has progressed to the stage where the bodies of the young fish are just taking form and becoming visible. Photographed at 4x life-size magnification.
    abudefduf-sexfasciatus-sergeant-majo...tif
  • Shown here is the rediole array of a Metavermilia inflata polychaete worm. Radioles are the ciliated feather-like tentacles that sessile polychaete worms such as these use for filter-feeding and respiration. The ball is the worm’s operculum, which seals the end of the tube when the animal retracts its radioles. The worm has just defecated, poop visible coming out of the central tube.
    metavermilia-inflata-polychaete-worm...tif
  • This is a female Orisarma intermedium crab making her way down to the ocean to release a clutch of eggs a couple of nights before the new moon.
    orisarma-intermedium-crab-eggs-japan...tif
  • This is a female bivalve of indeterminate species engaged in broadcast spawning. The bivalve is embedded in the coral reef. The orange strands comprise thousands upon thousands of tiny eggs. There is a Nagasaki Damsel (Pomacentris nagasakiensis) in the background. It is rushing in to eat the eggs.
    bivalve-broadcast-spawning-eggs-japa...tif
  • This is a female bivalve of indeterminate species engaged in broadcast spawning. The bivalve is embedded in the coral reef. The orange strands comprise thousands upon thousands of eggs. The fish eating the eggs is a Nagasaki damsel (Pomacentrus nagasakiensis).
    bivalve-broadcast-spawning-eggs-japa...tif
  • Shown here are bivalve mollusks of indeterminate species engaged in broadcast spawning. A female is sending out orange eggs, while a male above is sending out clouds of sperm.
    bivalve-broadcast-spawning-eggs-sper...tif
  • This is a head-on, close-up view of a colorful Nembrotha purpureolineata nudibranch
    nembrotha-purpureolineata-nudibranch...tif
  • This is a male Pfeiffer's Top Shell (Tegula pfeifferi) engaged in broadcast spawning. Unlike the dramatic pulse ejection of eggs by females, males of this species dribble sperm into the water a little at a time, with frequent pauses.
    tegula-pfeifferi-top-shell-broadcast...tif
  • This is a female Pfeiffer's Top Shell (Tegula pfeifferi) engaged in broadcast spawning. Having positioned herself in an elevated spot and raised herself to vertical orientation, the shell forcefully ejected clusters of green eggs three to four times in a row. She then reloaded and repeated for two additional rounds.
    tegula-pfeifferi-top-shell-broadcast...tif
  • Head-on view of a variegated lizardifsh (Synodus variegatus)
    synodus-variegatus-lizardfish-japan-...tif
  • This is a banded blenny (Mimoblennius atrocinctus) that had just darted out of its home at lightning speed to grab a meal, which appears to be molted cirri (legs) of a barnacle or similar animal.
    mimoblennius-atrocinctus-blenny-eati...tif
  • This is a Japanese mitten lobster (Parribacus japonicus) patrolling the sea bed at night.
    parribacus-japonicus-mitten-lobster-...tif
  • This is a pair of keyhole angelfish (Centropyge tibicen) just prior to spawning. The male is nudging the female, encouraging her to swim up into the water column to spawn.
    centropyge-tibicen-angelfish-spawnin...tif
  • This is a pair of pharoah cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis), female in the foreground. Having copulated with the male, the female is preparing an egg via internal fertilization, which she will then deposit under a nearby rock. The male in the background stands guard to ward off other males that might approach.
    sepia-pharaonis-cuttlefish-reproduct...tif
  • This is a Japanese mitten lobster (Parribacus japonicus) peeking out from a crevice in the rock and coral substrate just before emerging to forage at night.
    parribacus-japonicus-mitten-lobster-...tif
  • Shown here is a pair of roundbelly cowfishes (Lactoria diaphana) spawning, with the male in the foreground and the female facing away.
    lactoria-diaphana-spawning-roundbell...tif
  • Shown here is a male roundbelly cowfish (Lactoria diaphana) nipping a female and nudging her upward just prior to spawning.
    lactoria-diaphana-spawning-roundbell...tif
  • This is a close-up view of leaf coral (Pavona decussata) spawning, with streams of sperm being sent into the water column in synchrony with gametes from other nearby colonies of the hard coral.
    pavona-deccusata-leaf-coral-spawning...tif
  • This is a colony of leaf coral (Pavona decussata) spawning, with streams of sperm being sent into the water column in synchrony with gametes from other nearby colonies of the hard coral.
    pavona-deccusata-leaf-coral-spawning...tif
  • The visible portion of Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus) comprises modified<br />
prostomial palps (mouth appendages) that are used by the animals for feeding and breathing. These polychaete worms also defecate from central tube within these spiral appendanges, as shown here. This particular worm has made a home in a thin wedge of Pavona decussata leaf coral.
    spirobranchus-giganteus-polychaete-w...jpg
  • This is a starry night octopus (Callistoctopus luteus) swimming over a field of Pavona decussata leaf coral at night. The octopus was searching the folds of coral for prey.
    callistoctopus-luteus-starry-night-o...tif
  • This is a starry night octopus (Callistoctopus luteus) hunting at night. It is searching the folds of Pavona decussata leaf coral for prey.
    callistoctopus-luetus-starry-night-o...tif
  • These variegated lizardfish (Synodus variegatus) have come together in preparation for spawning. There were dozens in the area. Spawning takes place in the evening, with a female rushing towarding the surface, males following.
    synodus-variegatus-lizardfish-japan-...tif
  • This is a female pin cushion star (Culcita novaeguineae) engaged in spawning. The starfish has climbed to the top of the reef to release eggs, visible as a cloud of tiny white dots surrounding the animal.
    culcita-novaeguineae-cushion-star-sp...tif
  • This is a Cavolinia uncinata, a species of small pelagic mollusk that is found around the world. Tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of individuals or more appeared for several days in southern Japan, drifting with currents. As pictured here, the snails use nets of mucus to capture food.
    cavolinia-uncinata-sea-butterfly-jap...tif
  • This is a Cavolinia uncinata, a species of small pelagic mollusk that is found around the world. Tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of individuals or more appeared for several days in southern Japan, drifting with currents. As pictured here, the snails use nets of mucus to forage for food.
    cavolinia-uncinata-sea-butterfly-jap...tif
  • This is a Dendronephthya soft coral colony growing atop a rock, where currents provide ample nutrient flow. The light in the background is from a scuba diver.
    dendronephthya-soft-coral-japan-2022...tif
  • This is a female broadclub cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) depositing eggs among branches of table coral (Acropora sp.) shortly after mating.
    sepia-latimanus-cuttlefish-depositin...tif
  • This is a pair of longfin batfishes (Platax teira) patrolling the coral reef in southern Japan.
    platax-teira-longfin-batfish-japan-2...tif
  • This is a colony of Lobophyllia corymbosa hard coral engaged in spawning. Hard corals like this release both eggs and sperm at the same time, as seen here.
    lobophyllia-corymbosa-hard-coral-spa...tif
  • This is a female Sepia latimanus broadclub cuttlefish preparing to deposit eggs into the Acropora coral. Females adopt this characteristic scrunched up face prior to depositing eggs. The male that has just mated with her is standing guard in the background to keep other males away.
    sepia-latimanus-cuttlefish-courtship...tif
  • This is a male broadclub cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) engaging in courtship. He is stroking the female with his tentacles. If she accepts, they will mate and she will deposit eggs while the male maintains vigil to warn off other males.
    sepia-latimanus-broadclub-cuttlefish...tif
  • Shown here is a male Sepia latimanus cuttlefish (right) approaching a female (left) in order to attempt to mate. The male has split his body pattern and coloration into two distinct halves for courtship. The half facing the female is a subdued whitish tone, which presumably communicates calm, soothing intent. The other half is normal pattern, possibly to ward off other males.
    sepia-latimanus-cuttlefish-courtship...tif
  • This is a pair of broadclub cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) mating. Having succeeded in gaining the female's acceptance, the male on the right has wrapped his arms around the female's head. He is in the process of deliverying a package of sperm with his hectocotylus (modified left tentacle). The male typically stays with the female while she deposits fertilized eggs, to guard against copulation by other males.
    sepia-latimanus-cuttlefish-mating-ja...tif
  • Pictured here are two male broadclub cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) engaged in a conflict. The bold striped pattern signals aggression. The males were fighting to establish dominance in the area around this large Acropora coral colony, where multiple females had gathered for spawning.
    sepia-latimanus-cuttlefish-males-fig...tif
  • This is a pair of tomato hinds (Cephalopholis sonnerati). The fish looking toward the camera is male. The fish viewed side-on is female, with a belly full of eggs. When I took this photograph, the time for these fish to spawn was approaching.
    cephalopholis-sonnerati-male-female-...tif
  • This is a male leopard sea cucumber (Bohadschia argus) engaged in broadcast spawning. Having raised itself above the substrate, the sea cucumber sent streams of sperm into the water.
    bohadschia-argus-sea-cucumber-spawni...tif
  • This is a cute juvenile Valentin's sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster valentini).
    canthigaster-valentini-sharpose-puff...tif
  • This is a female banded sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster coronata) tending to her eggs after spawning. With fertilization completed, the male has departed. The female remains for some time to clean and aerate the eggs that she has affixed to the substrate.
    canthigaster-coronata-banded-sharpno...tif
  • This is a pair of banded sharpnose puffers (Canthigaster coronata) spawning. The female is the foreground, male in the rear. Prior to spawning, the female devotes considerable time to selecting and preparing a suitable location while the male follows and looks on. After spawning takes place, the male departs. The female remains for some time to clean and aerate the eggs.
    canthigaster-coronata-banded-sharpno...tif
  • This is a pair of banded sharpnose puffers (Canthigaster coronata) getting ready to spawn. The female is the foreground, male in the rear. Prior to spawning, the female devotes considerable time to selecting and preparing a suitable location while the male follows and looks on. After spawning takes place, the male departs. The female remains for some time to clean and aerate the eggs.
    canthigaster-coronata-banded-sharpno...tif
  • These two Gymnothorax meleagris moray eels engaged in an extended battle, jaws locked, twisting and spinning within the confines of a narrow crevice among the rocks. It is unclear what the fight was about. In the end, they parted in the blink of an eye, with neither occupying the hole.
    gymnothorax-meleagris-moray-eels-fig...tif
  • This is a large male broadclub cuttlefish hovering above a coral reef during the reproductive season. Multiple males like this were engaged in competition for females that were ready to mate and deposit eggs.
    sepia-latimanus-broadclub-cuttlefish...tif
  • This is an inquisitive fringed blenny (Chirolophis japonicus) staring directly into the camera lens. There is a parasite attached behind the prominent eye. This species is found in the Northwest Pacific.
    chirolophis-japonicus-fringed-blenny...tif
  • This is a pair of Pagurus brachiomastus hermit crabs. The male on the right is holding on to the female on the left. During the reproductive season, males grasp females in this manner. Other males approach to challenge, often resulting in a protracted tussle, with the victorious male claiming the female.
    pagurus-brachiomastus-hermit-crab-re...tif
  • This is a female Radulinopsis taranetzi sculpin tending to her clutch of eggs. Females of this species extend their mouths into the wide shape pictured here to suck or vacuum water around the eggs in order to aerate them and keep them clean and healthy. When the time comes, vigorous vacuuming helps the juveniles to hatch. The eggs pictured here are well-developed, only a few days from hatching.
    radulinopsis-taranetzi-sculpin-nurtu...tif
  • Pictured here are fresh eggs of a six-lined prickleback (Ernogrammus hexagrammus), a fish that is found in the Northwest Pacific. The eggs are around 3mm in size.
    ernogrammus-hexagrammus-eggs-six-lin...tif
  • This is the face of a mature male Agonomalus proboscidalis fish, with a blue bat seastar (Patiria pectinifera) in the background. This species is easily recognized by the distinctive elongated proboscis. It is native to the cold polar waters of the northwest Pacific.
    agonomalus-proboscidalis-barbed-hunc...tif
  • This is a female Lottia emydia limpet sending a stream of eggs into the water during spawning. These sea snails aggregate in order to spawn en masse. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    lottia-emydia-limpet-spawning-japan-...tif
  • This is a cluster of Lottia emydia limpets gathered for group spawning. One is just starting to lift itself up from the rock to spawn. Above these limpets is a cloud of eggs released by nearby female limpets. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    lottia-emydia-limpet-spawning-japan-...tif
  • This is a female Lottia emydia limpet sending a stream of eggs into the water during spawning. These sea snails aggregate in order to spawn en masse. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    lottia-emydia-limpet-spawning-japan-...tif
  • This is a female Lottia emydia limpet sending a stream of eggs into the water during spawning. These sea snails aggregate in order to spawn en masse. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    lottia-emydia-limpet-spawning-japan-...tif
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Tony Wu Underwater Photography

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